What is the difference between myofascial release and trigger point therapy?

While myofascial release therapy and trigger point therapy both address stubborn muscle knots, they’re not exactly the same. Trigger point therapy applies direct pressure to specific muscle knots.

What type of massage is myofascial release?

Myofascial (my-o-FASH-e-ul) release is a manual therapy technique often used in massage. The technique focuses on pain believed to arise from myofascial tissues — the tough membranes that wrap, connect and support your muscles.

Can you massage out myofascial trigger points?

While there is no single type of massage labeled a “trigger point massage,” massage therapists can use a number of different techniques to loosen these knots, including myofascial release and deep tissue massage. Massage works to release a trigger point by pushing fresh blood in and flushing waste material out.

What type of massage is best for trigger points?

Deep tissue: The best massage to relieve stress and muscle tension. Deep tissue massage can loosen painful “knots” and realign deeper layers of muscle through a combination of firm pressure and slow strokes. Your therapist will not only work on the usual muscles but on the connective tissue as well.

Is it good to massage trigger points?

So how can you get your freaked-out muscles to chill? Pressing on the muscle knots, called a trigger point self-massage, is a great place to start, Dr. Adams says. The simple pressure can help muscles relax.

What does trigger point massage do?

The objective of trigger point therapy is releasing or softening a muscle knot to reduce (or eliminate) the knot pain and associated pain. This release happens by applying various levels of pressure to muscle knots, and then stretching the affected areas through a complete range of motion.

What is the difference between deep tissue massage and myofascial release?

Massage therapy involves steady movement, like kneading and stroking, on the muscles to bring relief; myofascial release uses sustained pressure to stretch and lengthen the fascia.

Why do trigger points hurt so much?

When muscles are stressed or injured, they often form tender “trigger points” that feel like dense tight knots in the muscle tissue. Pressure on a trigger point causes the muscle fibers to shorten and be painful to the touch. And this can send “referred pain” radiating out to other areas of the body.

How long does it take to release a trigger point?

The original way is through trigger point release which involves using a squeeze grip or a tool where direct pressure on the trigger point for 30-120 seconds according to research can release and soften a nodule, once released the muscle tissue needs to be moved throughout its full range of motion, which is why your …